Charleston via Train

taylor — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:41:32 +0000

Every year my family ventures south via train. 24 hours of chats, snacks and sleeper car fun. We arrive early in the am in Charleston, SC. It’s one of my favorite places to visit in America. The food scene is insane, water views are beautiful, the historic homes and streets are picturesque and everyone says hello. Did I mention the rooftop bars-a-plenty?

This year we stayed at the French Quarter Inn. It’s situated just perfectly in the heart of the historic district. Champagne at check-in, an enclosed, private terrace and rooms inspired by Paris.

Every visit I search out new restaurants. Part restaurant and part dry goods shopping spot, Two Boroughs Larder was such a special find. Their menu changes often, and like many new spots, it’s creative and non-traditional, paired with southern, seasonal offerings. I happily consumed roasted brussels sprouts with fried artichoke to start. Lunch was my favorite: a large bowl of noodle soup combined with pulled pork, homemade spicy kimchi and boiled egg. So so delicious. Decor and marketing is inspired by their adorable corgi, Walter. Shirts and growlers adorn a Walter silhouette with clever sayings like “Walter always saves room for dessert.”

Another notable spot with a new menu everyday. Watch their facebook and twitter feed around 11am for their newest selection. Butcher & Bee is amazing. Not only will their unique sandwiches (based on seasonal ingredients) blow you away, but so will their branding. How amazing is that logo?! Seriously. I enjoyed the banh mi sando with pork pate. Washed it down with some sparkling water and walked off the baguette while visiting their vegetable garden, right outside the restaurant.

I can’t say it enough, Charleston is a beautiful place. Visit + eat + drink.

Our Rock House

taylor — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 14:30:49 +0000

During a brief 3-month period in my life, I ventured to Savannah, Georgia and attended a textile design course at SCAD for a summer. It was a humid summer full of art, a hotel night job, and multiple visits to the seashore. An adventure that I feel lucky to have had, but happy to check off my list! In Savannah I met a wonderful and talented couple. Crafters destined for eternal love and craftiness: Our Rock House.

Our Rock House and I have become penpals. The old school kind. So old school that my computer reads penpal as a typo. And although I’m overdue to reciprocate, I received a special package in the mail that contained three heartfelt and handmade rings. Carved out of different types of wood, each ring its own shape and personality, two with color-pop accents (I happen to have a major thing for brightly colored accents).

I chose my ring immediately from the three: an original, raised design with a tropical blue accent. It nests perfectly on my finger and gets many-an-inquiry.

On a mission to share the love of Our Rock House, I gave one ring to my sister and the other to my good friend, Cally Wheeler.

I do believe that this ring could be the most perfect, understated accessory to any outfit. Check out their Etsy shop and support handmade! These rings are all original and unique, hand carved with love and care. Also check out the rest of the goods on their site: I’m smitten with the owl wine stopper and hearts on a line…

Seaside Adventures

taylor — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 04:12:42 +0000

Vacations are fun! Chris and I took a short trip down to Portsmouth, NH and Portland, ME / ate our way across various seaside towns / shopped our way through the weekend. It was supreme gluttony. And we enjoyed every second of it. I fully support short getaways. They keep you sane and allow for some adventure. Especially needed during a New England winter.

In no apparent order, our path went a little like this…
PORTSMOUTH, a small, seaside town, with some memorable jems:

Three Graces Gallery – lovely art. Like a gallery from Seattle. Original, inspiring and fun works from local talents! I had a show here years ago and the curated selection only gets better.

Gus & Ruby – letterpress letterpress letterpress. Enough said. Phenomenal, whimsical collection of cards, gift items and custom invitations. Plus it’s named after two dogs.

Nahcotta – another great gallery of original, local art, along with gift items and home accessories that are reasonably priced and completely unique. They sell some cool, regional ceramics from the likes of Pigeon Toe and Perch.

Portsmouth Brewery – they make their own beer. And it’s good.

Dolphin Striker – there’s a well at the bar with fish in it! Carp to be exact. Apparently, the well was the only fresh water source when folks came in to port. Now it sits within a bar, with a glass top and 15 year-old fish that swim endless circles. Definitely a must-visit. Live music too!

Surf – we found this location via yelp. It was identified as “hipster” and I would like to make an official edit. It was much more upscale, ho-hum. Right on the water, and crab cakes were yummy, but overpriced and on the snobby side…

Friendly Toast – if you want the best brunch ever, go here. If you have a wicked hangover, go here. If you want a massive serving of food for cheap, go here. If you want a $2 PBR at 10am, you get the idea.

Next Up: PORTLAND!
We stayed in Old Port and didn’t venture outside of the area. Everything was within walking distance. In no apparent order:

Whole Foods – cheap bottles of champagne and wine. Stupid long lines to make you regret venturing inside.

Blanche & Mimi – an oh so wonderful shop with baby gifts, home accessories and vintage items. It took all of my will-power not to buy up every last item. Go here. Bring someone with you that will guide you in self restraint.

Black Parrot – pricey boutique. Couldn’t afford anything, but nice eye candy.

Bliss – same as above. Lovely to walk around, cheap sunglasses, but way over my budget.

Duck Fat – rivals Friendly Toast for hangover cures. Also offers beer before noon. Fries, frappes, sandwiches and homemade soups. With a focus on sustainable and local foods, show up at 11am, it gets PACKED soon after.

Fore Street – featured in GQ for a reason. It’s really lovely. Full of hob-nobs, yes, but you can semi-avoid it at the bar. Might be worth it for the food, still haven’t decided. Also sustainable and local.

Vignola – great libations and original recipes. Haven’t had dinner here, but the charcuterie was amazinggg.

Amigo’s – occurred at the tail-end of our evening and was mainly focused around cheap booze and pool. At this point, there really is nothing better.

DiMillo’s – cheesy. Expensive drinks. Bad service. Nice views. P.S. it’s on a boat.

Be Mine

taylor — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:16:06 +0000

Dear Chris,

Please press PLAY above.

I’d like to tell you how much I love you… in the only truly nerdy way I know how. This winter has been overly extended and cold, but our adventures and fun have overshadowed any bitter bits. Everyday from the moment I wake up, I look forward to seeing you after our 9-to-5′s. I look forward to happy hour, dinner, playing with Stella, our weekends. Every single day, I look forward to sharing the next and the next and the next with you.

So as it is Valentine’s Day, I thought this would be the perfect time to reflect on our story (because it’s kind of the best story ever). And even at risk of this sounding uber cheesefest, you are my beacon. That fire, that celebration in life. It’s you. And I’m lucky to have it everyday. I love you so.

Ode to Action Bunny

taylor — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:46:59 +0000

Oh sweet action bunny, with your gold pants. And your cute front paw, perfectly placed to gesture joyful frolicking… Thank you, Jen Ray, for creating a sweet clay creature that now happily follows behind my overly pink + glossy vintage terrier. They might be a match made in heaven.

You can buy Jen Ray’s goodies here on her site! My next purchase will be the honey badger. For obvious reasons.

Things Organized Neatly.

taylor — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:08:52 +0000

I’ve been wanting to submit something to the tumblr blog, things organized neatly, for quite sometime. With the snowboard season finally hitting the east coast, I was inspired to organize and compartmentalize my attire.

This is what happened. A large roll of canvas and my essential snowboard setup. Oh! And then getting posted on said blog.Yay!

A Little Birdie Told Me

taylor — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:19:21 +0000

I made some new art! A little bird atop an ocean of wallpaper pattern.

12″ x 14″. Graphite, pen and acrylic on paper.

Hey 2012!

taylor — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:41:21 +0000

Happy New Year! Be sure to ring it in right. And may 2012 be filled with inspiration and adventures for you.

Charleston, here I come.

taylor — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:00:06 +0000

Hey Charleston. You’re kind of a big deal. And I might be slightly obsessed. Borderline stalker really. I’ve made us reservations. I’m getting my hair DID. I’m wearing a party dress. Be ready, Charleston. Be ready. You + me for one weekend only.

Yours truly & forever,
Taylor

Ugly Christmas Sweater Fun

taylor — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:41:17 +0000

Holiday times have arrived and it was in that spirit that we decided to have a little fun with our good friends, Jesse & Cally. We dressed up in holiday attire from My Ugly Christmas Sweater and decided to have ourselves a photoshoot. I can completely understand the affection for themed holiday parties with these terrifyingly unattractive items… Wearing them just makes you want to drive all over town and get silly.

Happy Holidays!!